Six new fire engines – costing a combined £2.4 million – will soon be in operation in the former Avon area. Avon Fire & Rescue Service is preparing to put the two new ‘turntable ladders’ engines and four ‘combined rescue pumps’ into active service after they have been put through their paces in recent weeks in training scenarios. The two turntable ladders, which will be based at Bath and Weston-super-Mare fire stations, are state-of-the-art vehicles and are the first of their kind in the UK. They cost just over £500,000 each, and feature a 27-metre ladder. on a MAN TG chassis.

They feature an on-board stretcher, on-board generator which supports power sockets in the cage itself, for easier use of tools and grinders, and water jets built into the floor of the cage to help cool down any surfaces firefighters might be stepping onto.

The combined rescue pumps, which cost just under £340,000 each, can perform the duties of the traditional standard fire engine and the rescue tender, which carries specialist equipment for use in incidents such as road traffic collisions.

Chief Fire Officer Kevin Pearson said: “The combination of two vehicles into one represents a considerable cost saving to the organisation by using resources more efficiently and effectively.

“This also reinforces Avon Fire Authority’s decision to support and maintain frontline services during these difficult financial times.”